The conceptualization of safe care for older inpatients: A model based on socio-ecological theory

Background Safe care for older adults is a crucial component of clinical practice. Understanding the conceptual connotation of safe care for older hospitalized patients can help improve the safety of geriatric care from multiple dimensions, thereby ensuring patient safety. Objective To explore the concept of safe care for older inpatients in the context of population aging and to develop a conceptual model. Study design Concept analysis. Methods Walker and Avant’s method was used to clarify the concept of safe care. Eight electronic databases (Wanfang Data, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, VIP Database, Web of Science, Embase via Ovid, CINAHL via EBSCO, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and PubMed) were searched from inception to March 2025 to identify studies focused on safe care. Results This concept analysis included 32 articles. Based on these articles, safe care for older inpatients was defined as follows: “Older inpatients are free from harm, feel safe, actively participate in their care with caregivers, and adapt to the hospital environment, culture, and regulations.” This concept included four defining attributes, four antecedents, three consequences, and three groups of empirical referents related to safe care for older inpatients. In addition, we constructed a model case, a borderline case, and a contrary case. Conclusions We developed a conceptual model of safe care for older inpatients that involved theoretical relationships among its antecedents, attributes, consequences, and empirical referents. This conceptual model provides a new perspective for healthcare professionals and medical institutions to implement safe care.